Scaffold



J, E. RICKA July 23, 1929.

SCAFFOLD Filed July 1927 Patented July 23, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,721,670 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN E. RIGKARD, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

SCAFFOLD.

Application filed July 18, 1927. Serial No. 206,529.

My present invention relates to improvements in scaffolds of the ladder type, and embodies a portable implement designed especially for use while Working upon the exterior of buildings, but of course the scaffold may be used in many other ways. The seaffold may be disjointed or dismantled and the ladder portions used as ladders, and the whole structure may be taken apart and compactly stored for transportation or for other purposes. Means are provided whereby the parts may readily be assembled and the scaffold erected and its parts fastened together with facility and convenience. The scaffold is fashioned with rollers in order that it may be moved from place to place with convenience, and means are provided whereby the weight of the scaffold may be taken from the rollers, and extension legs of the scaffold then used for supporting the ladder in rigid position.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the scaffold resting upon its rollers;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the scaffold on an enlarged scale, parts being broken away for convenience of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view showing the manner of transferring the weight of the scaffold from its rollers to the extension legs;

Fig. 4.- is a detail view showing the manner of connecting the spaced ladders forming the ends of the scaffold;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale, showing one of the extension legs, four of which are used on the two ladders; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the manner of looking a pivoted brace, one of which is located on each ladder.

In carrying out my invention, I utilize two ladders designated A and B, and these upright members are connected by removable and detachable deck boards C, D and E.

Each ladder comprises a vertical post 1 and an inclined post 2, and these posts form the side bars of the respective ladders A and B. The rungs or steps 3 of the ladders join the side bars and their ends are inserted in complementary mortises 4 on the adjoining inner faces of the side bars of the ladders. Tie bolts 5 are used in connection with the steps 3, and the tie bolts extend through the side bars to tie them together and reinforce the steps.

In addition to the deck boards, the ladders are joined by detachable diagonally arranged cross braces 6 and 7, which at their intersecting joint, and at their ends, are provided with bolts 8 and thumb nuts 9, whereby the cross braces form a rigid connection between the two ladders.

Each of the deck boards C, D and Eis made up of a top plank 10 and two side rails 11 and 12 securely nailed or screwed thereto, and transversely arranged iron straps or braces 13 join t e side rails with the plank at the underside. -It will be seen that the side rails project below the bottom of the plank 10, and in these projecting portions of the rails, notches 14. are provided. Each rail has near its ends one of these notches or mortises, and at the ends of the deck boards the mortises are arranged in pairs so that they will slip over the top edge of a step 3 as indicated in Fig. 4. In this position, it will be seen that the under face of the plank 1O lies on the top edge of the step 3, and the greater portion of the load on the deck board will be supported by the plank 10. The notches of course serve the function of holding the ladders spaced apart, and the three deck boards at the different levels shown, are effective means for rigidly holding the spaced ladders.

In Fig. 2, the scaffold is shown in position adjacent to a house indicated as H, and a brace bar 15 which is pivoted at 16 to the ladder is used to properly set the scaffold against the house. One of these brace bars is pivoted to each ladder, and each brace bar has a socket or depression 17 in its outer face near its free end. Each bracebar also has a. pair of-spring catches 18 and 19 provided for use therewith,

To provide portability for the scaffold in wheels 20 journaled on the projecting ends of axles 21. These axles pass through openings or apertures in the lower ends of the side bars 1 and 2 of the ladder, and the rollers or wheels are in position to take the weight of the scaffold and support its load.

In connection with the ladders, I utilize extension legs 22, one being provided at the lower end of each of the side bars of both of the ladders. These extension legs as seen in Fig. 5, are fashioned of sheet metal or other suitable material and U-shaped in cross section. At their lower ends the legs are provided with outwardly flaring wedge shaped feet 23 that are adapted to frictionally engage the ground or supporting surface for the scaffold to insure a stable support. The extension legs are fashioned with slots 24 and bolts 25 in the lower ends of the ladder'side bars pass through these slots, and clamp nuts 26 are used on the bolts. It will be apparent that the extension legs may he slid down with their lower ends below the wheels or rollers, and clamped in this position for the purpose of supporting the scaffold, as indicated in Fi 3.

Ilaving thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The combination in a scaffold with a pair of spaced ladders, of a deck board having notches for engaging and connecting said ladders, slotted metal extension legs U- shaped in cross section on the lower ends of the ladders and clampbolts for said legs, and outwardly flaring wedge shaped feet on said le S.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN RICKARD. 

